Grand jury clears driver in bicyclist's death

Published: Thursday, February 7, 2013 at 7:17 p.m.

Last Modified: Thursday, February 7, 2013 at 7:17 p.m.

A grand jury decided a driver who hit and killed a young bicyclist is not guilty of vehicular homicide, and the district prosecutor said he agrees.

Based on evidence, Stephen Pellegrin, of Houma, is likely not responsible for the death of 14-year-old Logan Bergeron, Assistant District Attorney Seth Dodd said Thursday.

“The kid came out and turned in the roadway,” Dodd said, echoing investigators' statements about the Nov. 2 crash. “If it wasn't for the fact that the kid turned, the accident wouldn't have happened. (Investigators) believe the kid created the accident.”

State Police looked at the skid marks on Country Estates Drive in Houma where the crash occurred and concluded Pellegrin didn't swerve when he hit Bergeron, Dodd said. Pellegrin also did well on the sobriety tests, although a blood test ultimately showed he had a blood alcohol content of .103 — above the .08 limit.

As a result, the grand jury decided in late January to indict Pellegrin on operating a vehicle while intoxicated, documents say. According to the charge, it's his first DWI offense.

Bergeron's father, Tobe Bergeron, who couldn't be reached for comment, said at the time of his son's death that his family members' grief was worsened by the fact that they felt Pellegrin was not being punished for the crash.

“Logan was a real sweet kid,” Tobe Bergeron said in November. “He would give you the shirt off his back. He would help out if you needed help. He was just all around a good kid — real smart, very outgoing. He liked to mingle. He had a whole lot of friends.”

Bergeron died from his injuries Nov. 6. He went to East Street Alternative School and was heading either to or from a friend's home when he was hit, his father said.

Vergin of Terrebonne Parish was arrested in October 2011, accused of shooting two people at Al's Trailer Park, the Terrebonne Sheriff's Office said at the time. Vergin reportedly barricaded himself in a trailer for about 15 minutes before he was arrested.

Assistant District Attorney Juan Pickett could not be reached for comment to explain why Vergin's case was being considered by the grand jury more than a year after his arrest.

Prosecutors convene grand juries to determine if cases have enough evidence to proceed to trial, and an indictment does not indicate guilt or innocence. Members hear only from prosecutors and not from anyone representing the defense.

However, in Pellegrin's case, Dodd said it's unlikely the District Attorney's Office will pursue his vehicular homicide charge now that the grand jury decided not to indict him.

Staff Writer Katie Urbaszewski can be reached at 448-7617 or katie.urbaszewski@dailycomet.com.

<p>A grand jury decided a driver who hit and killed a young bicyclist is not guilty of vehicular homicide, and the district prosecutor said he agrees.</p><p>Based on evidence, Stephen Pellegrin, of Houma, is likely not responsible for the death of 14-year-old Logan Bergeron, Assistant District Attorney Seth Dodd said Thursday.</p><p>“The kid came out and turned in the roadway,” Dodd said, echoing investigators' statements about the Nov. 2 crash. “If it wasn't for the fact that the kid turned, the accident wouldn't have happened. (Investigators) believe the kid created the accident.”</p><p>State Police looked at the skid marks on Country Estates Drive in Houma where the crash occurred and concluded Pellegrin didn't swerve when he hit Bergeron, Dodd said. Pellegrin also did well on the sobriety tests, although a blood test ultimately showed he had a blood alcohol content of .103 — above the .08 limit.</p><p>As a result, the grand jury decided in late January to indict Pellegrin on operating a vehicle while intoxicated, documents say. According to the charge, it's his first DWI offense.</p><p>Bergeron's father, Tobe Bergeron, who couldn't be reached for comment, said at the time of his son's death that his family members' grief was worsened by the fact that they felt Pellegrin was not being punished for the crash.</p><p>“Logan was a real sweet kid,” Tobe Bergeron said in November. “He would give you the shirt off his back. He would help out if you needed help. He was just all around a good kid — real smart, very outgoing. He liked to mingle. He had a whole lot of friends.”</p><p>Bergeron died from his injuries Nov. 6. He went to East Street Alternative School and was heading either to or from a friend's home when he was hit, his father said.</p><p>The grand jury also indicted Junius Vergin Jr. on two counts of attempted first-degree murder, documents say. </p><p>Vergin of Terrebonne Parish was arrested in October 2011, accused of shooting two people at Al's Trailer Park, the Terrebonne Sheriff's Office said at the time. Vergin reportedly barricaded himself in a trailer for about 15 minutes before he was arrested.</p><p>Assistant District Attorney Juan Pickett could not be reached for comment to explain why Vergin's case was being considered by the grand jury more than a year after his arrest. </p><p>Prosecutors convene grand juries to determine if cases have enough evidence to proceed to trial, and an indictment does not indicate guilt or innocence. Members hear only from prosecutors and not from anyone representing the defense.</p><p>However, in Pellegrin's case, Dodd said it's unlikely the District Attorney's Office will pursue his vehicular homicide charge now that the grand jury decided not to indict him.</p><p>Staff Writer Katie Urbaszewski can be reached at 448-7617 or katie.urbaszewski@dailycomet.com.</p>